Back to domestic fixtures for Capital duo

After their European adventures, it is back to domestic football for Hibs and Hearts on Sunday in the cinch Premiership. 

The Easter Road men visit Motherwell (15.00) looking to repair the damage after their 3-2 home defeat on the opening day of the league season at Easter Road to St Mirren, while Hearts entertain a Kilmarnock team boosted by their shock win over new-look Rangers on Sunday (15.00).

Hibs were given a massive boost by their 3-1 win over FC Luzern in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier inspired by a tremendous performance from Tamworth-born midfielder Joe Newell and also by the inclusion of new Rotterdam-born striker Dylan Vente who celebrated his debut with a well-taken goal.

The player, signed from Dutch football, told the Hibs official website that scoring was a “goosebumps” moment and he added: “As a player, when you make your debut you always want to score a goal, especially as a striker.

“I am standing in front of you with a great feeling. Adam (Le Fondre) put in a great cross for me and I just headed it in, to be honest.”

He praised the Hibs fans and manager Lee Johnson (pictured during Thursday’s UEFA clash) was proud of the effort and commitment shown by his men. He added: “It takes a lot of effort to go and get a two-goal lead in the first-leg against a side with such quality.

“It was a real club performance and the fans really played a part for us. I thought, to a man, whether that be the starting 11 or the subs that came on, we were all at maximum effort.”

He will look for the same commitment and effort at Fir Park but Hibs record against Motherwell in the last five games is favourable, three wins and a draw and only one defeat.

Motherwell also have damage to repair after their 1-1 draw at Dundee in Matchday One.

Hearts now and their 2-0 win at St Johnstone got their league campaign off to a winning start at a difficult venue but midfielder Brad Lyons’ 65th minute strike to down Rangers was a massive confidence-boost to Derek McInnes and his men. What’s more, Kilmarnock had eight fresh signings in their line-up.

Last season, the spirit in the side helped them avoid the dreaded drop and McInnes said: “Last week was a proper together performance.” He will be looking for that when he visits Tynecastle.

Hearts backroom team were disappointed to lose in Norway but Frankie McAvoy said that the Gorgie men were playing in only their second competitive game of the season. Rosenborg were well into their season and undefeated in six.

McAvoy said his men made a few mistakes in the first half and the coaching staff made changes. In the second-half Hearts looked a better side, making more penetrating passes, and the backroom team will be looking for that on Sunday. 

They will also be looking to improve their recent record against the men from Rugby Park. They have three wins and a draw with only one defeat in their last five games against the Men in Maroon.

Early days yet, but Hearts are second in the 12-strong table with Kilmarnock fourth. Hibs are ninth and Motherwell sixth.